Annual Report for 2007 - Charlotte-Mecklenburg County

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department experienced significant achievement and enormous loss in 2007. In
this annual report – my last as Chief of this fine organization – we highlight a few of our accomplishments, our
innovative new programs and the tragedy that marked the year.
On March 31, Officer Sean Clark and Officer Jeff Shelton were fatally shot. They were the first
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers slain in the line of duty in more than a decade. It was a difficult time for me
personally and for every other member of our police family, but the incredible support we received from the
community helped in our healing.
As I look back on my eight years as Chief, I am proud of how much we have accomplished together. The
partnerships we developed, the initiatives we introduced and the tremendous work the men and women of this
department do every day, all contribute to our successes.
In 2007, our overall violent crime rate dropped to its lowest level in more than 25 years. But we still face significant
challenges, particularly with property crimes. Our property crime rate rose slightly again in 2007. We are taking
steps to combat that trend, but this is an issue we must tackle together. We are targeting chronic offenders, but
the District Attorney will need more resources to prosecute them. At the same time, the community must increase
its preventative efforts.
I hope this report will help you better understand the combination of enforcement and community
problem-oriented policing we use to address crime and quality of life issues in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. I also hope
it will move you to join with us as we embark upon challenges that the police department cannot overcome alone.
It has been a great honor to serve this fine community and work with the dedicated professionals of the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. I have no doubt that together you will continue to make this a
wonderful place to live and raise a family.
I thank you for the encouragement given to me during my tenure and the tremendous outpouring of support given
to the entire department after our loss in March. We dedicate this report to Officer Clark and Officer Shelton. Their
sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Officer Sean Clark Officer Jeff Shelton
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